Taking the cognizance of plea filed by Dr. Shilpa Agarwal alleging that the National Board of Examinations (NBE) was not holding entrance tests for diploma and post-diploma pathology courses since January 2011 and this was arbitrary and illegal, a bench of Delhi High Court Monday sought reply from the Union Ministry of Health and NBE for the the alleged delay in holding tests for medical research courses in pathology. The Judge Justice G S Sistani has allowed the government agencies of 2 weeks time while posting the next hearing on November 11.

According to the petitioner, “In a scenario where there are very limited seats for doctor of medicine (MD), the medical professionals (MBBS) choose to opt for such courses so as to contribute to medical research in the country. However, due to policy paralysis and executive inaction on the part of the NBE, the examination for diploma…pathology has not been conducted for last one and half years.”

The NBE is a statutory body established to conduct post-graduate medical examinations across the country to maintain uniformity.

It also conducts the test for diploma of national board secondary course in different specialities, like pathology, which is considered to be equivalent to doctor of medicine (MD).

The diploma gives the doctors the requisite qualification for teaching posts.